New technologies have enriched the exploration of architectural designs and
ideas. New tools, such as parametric modelling, have enabled architects to
investigate designs of \“free forms” and shapes of unseen complexity in the past.
Rapid prototype models provided new means to examine tectonics and spatial
qualities. Yet these \“free-morphologies” must recognize constrains of
performance needs. This investigation explores a morphology with respect to
structural and lighting performance. Structural performances are assessed by
finite element analyses by generating stress distributions under typical loads and
specific boundary conditions. The evaluation of lighting performance is assessed
by evaluating the illumination level on a specified surface area. In the past, build
examples show separation of the language of envelope and the language of
supporting structure. Here an attempt is made to bring the harmony and blend the
two different articulations. The concept is tested in architectural curricula on a
real case design scenario of a preservation canopy for Yungang Grottoes in
Datong, Shanxi Province, China that has recently been declared a UNESCO
world heritage site.
Keywords: structure, morphology, free-form, performance, stress, lighting,
illumination, daylight, Yungang Grottoes, UNESCO.